Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory needs a Community Education Coordinator

POSITION TITLE: Community Education Coordinator

Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory is looking for a motivated, dynamic educator and camping industry professional who will bring bird conservation topics to a variety of audiences, specifically through interpretive programs and summer camps.

POSITION DETAILS:

Organization: Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory (RMBO)

Location: Brighton, CO; The position is based out of RMBO’s Headquarters and Environmental Learning Center, with some travel to partner organizations around the Denver metro area and Front Range required.

Reports to: Education Director

Supervises: Seasonal Staff, Interns, and Volunteer Naturalists

Salary: Commensurate with qualifications: $29,000 – $33,000/year, plus benefits; this is a salaried, full-time, exempt position.

Schedule: The position will be required to work several weekend days a month, plus extended program weeks and hours during overnight camps and some day camps. Thus, applicants will need to be flexible and accommodate a variable weekly schedule.

Expected Start Date: As soon as possible

OVERVIEW OF ORGANIZATION, PROGRAMS, AND PHILOSOPHY:

Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory (RMBO) conserves birds and their habitats through an integrated approach of science, education and stewardship (www.rmbo.org). Our work radiates from the Rockies to the Great Plains, Mexico and beyond. Our mission is advanced through sound science, achieved through empowering people, realized through stewardship and sustained through cross-border collaborations. Together, we are improving native bird populations, the land, and the lives of people. We monitor and identify population trends, research habitat needs, engage landowners and managers in wildlife and habitat stewardship, and educate diverse audiences.

The organization was founded in 1988, and educational programs built around its banding stations and Bald Eagle Watch were part of operations from the start. Since then, RMBO’s educational agenda has grown to also include K-12 School Field Trips and In-Class Programs, Home School Programs, Adult Education Programs, Family and Community Programs, a Volunteer Naturalist Program, a variety of Citizen Science projects, and Day and Overnight Summer Camps. RMBO engages approximately 25,000 people each year across a broad geographic spectrum, with around 200 of these individuals participating in our Summer Nature Camps, which are based out of the organization’s headquarters and Environmental Learning Center at the north end of Barr Lake State Park in Brighton, CO.

Using birds as the hook, RMBO Summer Nature Camps offer day and overnight camp sessions for youth between the ages of 2 and 17, with an emphasis on providing opportunities to safely explore and learn about the natural world and conservation. Camp sessions are designed as part of a progression to introduce children to the outdoors at a young age and build their skills over time, taking our youngest participants from basic, sensorial interactions with nature to a more sophisticated appreciation and understanding of their place in the natural world. Camps range from two-hour experiences with 2 to 5 year-olds and their parents to ten-day overnight camps for 15 to 17 year-olds, the latter of which has participants learning about, conducting, and presenting scientific research projects and exploring careers in natural resources. Ultimately, the desired outcome for all of our programs is for participants to become more interested in the world around them and, subsequently, better informed and engaged citizens.

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:

· Bachelor’s degree in natural resources area or environmental education/interpretation, with two years of working experience in a related field required; Master’s degree preferred. A combination of degrees or experience in the areas of wildlife biology, environmental science, or education is a plus.

· Experience developing, marketing, administering, leading, and evaluating environmental education/interpretation programs, especially day and overnight summer camps.

· Solid understanding of camping industry standards and risk management.

· Experience teaching environmental education school programs in formal and non-formal outdoor and classroom settings.

· Experience and confidence delivering scientific messages to diverse audiences.

· Strong communication with adults and children, and proven ability to cultivate relationships with families.

· Strong organizational, logistical, grant writing, and networking skills, with proven ability to handle multiple tasks and roles, prioritize, and meet deadlines.

· Experience in budget management.

· Strength in building and maintaining partnerships with diverse organizations.

· Proficient with Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, and Publisher).

· Responsible, creative, relational, enthusiastic, flexible, and resourceful team player; self-motivated, results-oriented, and dedicated to providing clients with quality and enriching experiences.

· Must be in good physical condition, able to lift/carry 40 pounds, and able to hike long distances at altitude.

· Specific knowledge and experience regarding bird identification, bird banding, ornithology, and natural history of the Front Range desired.

· Must possess a valid Driver’s License and have a clean driving record.

· Must pass Federal and State background checks.

· Current CPR and First Aid Certifications (WFR Preferred).

· Ability to speak Spanish a plus.

DUTIES/DESCRIPTION:

This position will be responsible for fostering the growth RMBO’s Summer Nature Camps, Family, and Community Programs by:

· Planning, marketing, administering, leading, and evaluating day and overnight camps for 2-17 year olds and parents during the summer.

· Assisting with the development and implementation of the Leaders-in-Training program, a summer camp volunteer/leadership program for 12-17 year-olds.

· Maintaining relationships with local and remote summer camp families/clients through regular communication, events, and programs throughout the year (reunions, family programs, etc).

· Planning, advertising, leading, and evaluating monthly family programs, partnership events with Barr Lake State Park, and pre-school programs.

· Leading RMBO’s annual Christmas Bird Count for Kids and coordinating with local organizations to promote other events around the metro area/state.

· Leading, coordinating, and implementing Bird Tales, a therapeutic environmental education program for individuals experiencing dementia, and other off/on-site interpretive programs for adults (at libraries, senior centers, rec centers, etc).

· Assisting with training, scheduling, and supervising of volunteer naturalists.

· Supervising education assistants, interns, and other staff as needed.

· Assisting with school programs as-needed (several days per week in April/May and September/October).

· Building partnerships and work with local communities and organizations to increase awareness of RMBO and our programs by representing RMBO at community events and meetings.

· Tracking all participant numbers, scholarships, and budget information and providing required information to School Programs Coordinator, Education Director, CFO, etc.

· Seeking out and applying for additional funding for this position, the education team, and scholarships for programs.

· Performing other duties as assigned, including facility, grounds, and site-based projects around the Environmental Learning Center.

To apply: Please email a cover letter, detailing your summer camp and environmental education knowledge/experience and your philosophy as to the development of children in the context of the camping experience, as well as a resume with at least three references (names, phone numbers, and email addresses) in a single document to: Tyler Edmondson at tyler.edmondson.

CLOSING DATE: September 1, 2015

RMBO Community Education Coordinator Job Posting.docx